Unloading device for centrifugal extractors



Feb. 19, 1929.

F. M. WATKNS UNLOADING DEVICE FOR CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTORS 5 sheets-Skiset 1 Filled Jan. 5. 1922 "Ml WW yIN1/EN TOR w 9. Mmw

Feb. 19, 1929.

F. M. WATKINS UNLOADING DEVICE FOR CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTORS 3 Sheets-Sheet Fitled Jan. 5, 1922 l5 [NVE/WOR BY I l Y @do uid; with means for circulating a current of Patented Feb. 19, 1929.

FRANK M. wATKINs, or CINCINNATI, oHIo.

UNLOADING DEVICE FCR CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTORS.

Application iled January y5, 1922. Serial No. 527,182.

This invention relates to improvements in centrifugal extractors of ther type used in laundries and in which the load-carrying container is adapted to be raised out oi the curb to an elevated` position for loading and unloading. p

The objects oi this invention are to provide a liquid-actuated means tor raising the loadcarrying cage out of the basket to an elevation above the curb so that it can be swung around to a position ior unloading and reloading; to provide a rotatable plunger for raising the cage to an velevated position and for permitting the same to be swung around to unload'ng position; to provide means for storing gaseous pressure upon the liquid so that upon application of the liquid to the plunger, the cage will be raised; to provide means controlled by the cage rotating means tor. storing the gaseous pressure upon the liquid; to provide improved connections for the application and release of pressure for raising and lowering the cage; to provide an extensible arm upon the plunger with means for releasably connecting the arm to the cage, so that operative connection can be established i'or raising the cage and t-he arm released and swung out of the way to permit the closing of the cover; and to provide an air pump for storing pressure upon the liqair about the same.

Other objects oi' this invention will be apparent Jfrom the following description and claims when considered together with the a'ccompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side view partly in elevation and partly in section; Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a part in section; Fig. l is a section taken on line L -4, Figs. 3 and 7; Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken' on line 5 5; Fig. 3; Figy is a vertical section taken on line 6 6, Fig. 3; and Fig. 7 is an elevation of the pulley upon which are provided the vanos for circulating a current of air.

The main casing 1 of the machine supports the curb 2 which has an opening 3 in its top; this opening being closed by the cover 4; hinged at 5 to the curb. The basket 6 is suitably mounted upon the spindle 7 which is driven by the belt 8 in a well known manner, this belt in turn being driven by they electric motor 9. The belt passes about the idle pulleys 10 and 11. Extending radially from and suitably secured to the stem 12 are the loaddividing partitions 13 which together with the auxiliary bottom 14 constitute what is known as the load-carrying cage adapted to rest within the basket Yfor rotation therewith and which, upon being lowered into the basket7 is centered by means ot the centering plug 15 formed upon the bottom ot the basket. Upon the upper end ot the stem 12 I have provided the ball bearing 16 which rests upon the lower collar 17 these parts being secured in position by means oi' the stud 18 and nut 19. The collar 17 is capable of movement independent of the cage and is adapted to be engaged'on its undersurface by the 'forked end 20 oi the arm member 21 which has slidable engagement with the other arm member 22 by means oi the key 23. The stop screw 24 is carried by the arm member 21 and is adapted to engage the Inember 22. These two members 21 and 22 constitute an arm for raising the load-carrying cage out o1 the basket and when the cage occupies position within the basket, the arm member 21 can be withdrawn so as to permitthe arm to be swung out. ot the way and the cover l loweredto close the opening 3 during rotation ot the basket. y f

rlhe rear end of the arm 22 is lixedly secured to the upper reduced end portion 25 of the plug 26 which is suitably secured within the upper end of the hollow plunger 27. ,The lower end of the hollow plunger 27 is closed by means of a plug 28 which carries on its under face the packing 29 secured thereto by means of the screw bolt 30. 'This plunger 27 is adapted to be raised and lowered within the cylindrical chamber 31 by means of liquid pressure in a Inanner to be later described. The upward movement of the plunger is limited by engagement of the collar 32 against the stop 33, while the downward movement of the plunger is limited by engagement of the bolt head 30 with the upwardly extend'- `ing stop 34 formed integrally with the base casting 35 which receives the lower end of the cylindrical chamber 31. Both the lower and upper ends of the-chamber 31 are sealed by means of the gland 36 and packing 37 at the lower end and by means oi the gland 38 and packing 39 at the upper end.r y

The means for supplying fluid pressure to the under sideot the plunger :tor raising the same, comprises a tank 40 containing liquid, as for instance water or oil l1, in its lower portion and adapted to store compressed air in the upper space indicated at 42. The an- LLI guiar ring 40 has bolted thereto the motor supporta.4 rlhe motor 9, which rotates the basket, operates also an air pump 43 which has driving` connection vvith the shalt 44 of the idle pulley l0 driven by the belt 8. @peration of the pump 43 causes air to be forced through the pipe 45, pipe 46 and upvvardly through the connecting,r pipe 47 into the upper portion ot the tank 40 through the air inlet opening; 48. Thus, during rotation or' the basket, pressure is being' stored in the upper portion of the tank 40. The liquid 4l is adapted to be discharged through the pipe fl-9 connected to the lower end thereof, then through the inlet pipe 50 to the under side of the pliin'1 ='ei'. rlhis passage is controlled by means oit the valve 5l actuated by means oi the lever 52 connected to the stem oi. valve 5l and pivoted at 53 to the link 54, which is pivoted at 54" to a fixed yoke plate 51h. The lever' is normally under the tension of the spring 55 secured to lever 52 and the support 92; so that the valve 5l is normally closed. The handle 56 for control of the lever 52 occupies a position so as to be readily accessible to the operator, as indicated in Fig. l.

Thus it Will be seen that when the motor has been stopped and the basket is still, the arm Will be engaged With the stem oi the cage; and then upon opening valve 5l the liquid 4l under pressure will be admitted to the under side of the plunger so as to raise the cage. l/Vhen the cage has been raised to the desired elevation, as determined by the stop, the handle 56 Will be released by the operator and the valve 5l closed under tension of the spring 55. rlhe cage is then swung around to unloading position. TJifhen the cage has been unloaded and re-loaded and it is desired to lower the same into the basket, it is swung back to position above the basketo Then the operator releases the air pressure in the upper part of the tank preparatory to returning' the liquid from the under side ot the plunger to the tank. This is aecomplished by means of a valve 57 which by virtue oi the spring 58 normally closes the passage 59 leading' to the discharge outlet 60 for the escape or the air. This valve hoivever, can be opened by depression of the rod 6l Which is provided at its upper end With the operating' knob 62 operable against the tension. oi spring 63. The collar 6la on rod 6l limits its upward movement. rllhis valve 57 controls discharge from the pipe 64 which is connected to the pil e 4, so that, With the valve 5l closed and the plunger in raised position, by opening the valve 57 the air pressure in the upper part ot the tank 4() Will be released through the pipe 47, pipe G4 and valve opening 59 to 'the discharge outlet 60. 'lhen upon opening the valve 5l the liquid under the plunger will return by gravity to the tank through the same pipe connections by which it was supplied. ylhe plunger returning' by gravity to its lower position Will torce tue liquid back into the tank. Then, knob G2 having been released by the operator, spring 63 causes rod 6i to rise and valve 57 is closed; so that, upon again starting the motor 9 ifor rotating the basket, the air pump Will again store compressed air' in the upper part ot the tank 40 in the manner above described.

As a means ot circulating; a current ot air about the air pump, have provide-d the vanes 66 inside et the pulley l() and have provided also the deflecting plate 67 around the air pump.

fl have provided also a means for adjusting the pulleys lO'and ll as may be required Vacltfordinp; to the taut or slack condition of the belt. rlliis means comprises brackets 68 which are adapted for adjustment along the brackets G9 by means of the adjusting blocks 70 and the adjusting' screws 7l. Brackets (i9 are supported upon the Wall of the tank 40.

l l provided also an air pocket 72 having' communication with the pipe 50 tor the purpose of preventing' what is known as Water hammer. 'llhe cage 78 and the safety valve 79have operative connection through the pipe 8O with the air supply pipe 46 so as to register the pressure and also to yprevent excessive pressure beyond a pre-determined point.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A centrifugal extractor, comprising a curb, a load-carrying member rotatably and vertically movable therein, means for rotating said member, fluid pressure means for. p

raising said member, and means operated by said member rotating means when Vthe same rotates and arranged to supply iluid pressure for actuation ot said pressure operating means 2. ln a centrifugal extractor, the combination of a curb, a rotary load-carrying cage adapted .for raising and lowering movement out oit and into said curb, means for rotating said cage, means including' a fluid supply connection ior raising said cage, and means controlled by operation of said rotating means for applying pressure to the fluid supply for raising said cage.

3. ln a centrifugal extractor, the combi,- natien oi a curb, a rotary load-carrying cage adapted for raising and lowering movement out ot and into said curb, a plunger for raising said cage, means for rotating said cage, and means controlled by said rotating means tor storing energy for the actuation ot said plunger.

4. ln a centrifugal extractor, the combi nat-ion oi? a curb, a rotary load-carryingcage adapted for raising and lowering movement out out and into said curb, means for rotating said. cage, a rotatable plunger `upon Which said cage is supported for raising and lowering,` the same and permitting' swingingl moveadapted for raising raising said cage and adap ment of the same to unloading position, and means controlledl by said rotating means for storing energy for' the actuation of said plunger.

5. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination of a curb, a rotary load-carrying cage adapted Jfor raising and lowering movement out of and into said curb, a liquid actuated plunger' for raising said cage, means for ro tating said cage, and means controlled by said rotating means for storing pressure upon the liquid for operation of said plunger.

6. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination of a curb, a rotary load-carrying cage and lowering movement out of and into said curb, a plunger for raising said cage7 means for rotating said cage, and means operated by said rotating means for storing energy for the actuation of said plunger. K

7 In a centrifugal extractor, the combination of a curb, a rotary load-carrying cage adapted for raising and lowering movement out of and into said curb, a rotatable arm for ted to be swung laterally, said arm comprising a plurality of adjustably connected parts, oneof said parts having releasable connection with said cage, and means for raising said arm.

8. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination of a curb, a rotary load-carrying cage adapted for raising and lowering movement into and out of said curb, a rotatable plunger for raising said cage, an arm carried by said plunger and having releasable connection with said ca e, whereby. said cage can be raised by sai plunger and said arm can be swung around to one side, and a cover for closing said cage.

9. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination of a curb, a rotary 1oad-carrying lcage adapted for raising and lowering movement into and out of said curb, means including an air pump for raising said cage, means including a pulley for rotating said cage and operating said air pump, and means carried by said pulley for circulating air about said air pump.

In testimony whereof I hereby ax my i signature.

FRANK M. WATKINS. 

